Video rebroadcasting with multiplexed communications and display via smart mirrors

ABSTRACT

During a first time period and for a first user, a second user is automatically selected based on competitive data of the first user and competitive data of the second user, and a workout selection is sent to cause a video of a workout to be displayed during a second time period on a smart mirror of the first user and a smart mirror of the second user. During the second time period, a live stream of the first user exercising is displayed at the smart mirror of the second user, and a live stream of the second user exercising is received and displayed at the smart mirror of the first user. During the second time period, a performance score of the first user and a performance score of the second user is displayed at the smart mirrors of the first user and the second user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/188,725, filed Mar. 1, 2021 and titled “Video Rebroadcasting with Multiplexed Communications and Display Via Smart Mirrors,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/074,894, filed Sep. 4, 2020 and titled “Video Rebroadcasting with Multiplexed Communications and Display Via Smart Mirrors,” and which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/144,047, filed Feb. 1, 2021 and titled “Video Rebroadcasting with Multiplexed Communications and Display Via Smart Mirrors, and Smart Weight Integration,” and this application also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/074,894, filed Sep. 4, 2020 and titled “Video Rebroadcasting with Multiplexed Communications and Display Via Smart Mirrors,” and this application also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/144,047, filed Feb. 1, 2021 and titled “Video Rebroadcasting with Multiplexed Communications and Display Via Smart Mirrors, and Smart Weight Integration”; each of the foregoing is related to U.S. Pat. No. 10,758,780, issued Sep. 1, 2020 and titled “Reflective Video Display Apparatus for Interactive Training and Demonstration and Methods of Using Same,” and the entire contents of each of the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems for interactive video delivery, and more specifically, to multiplexed voice and visual communications facilitated by smart mirrors.

BACKGROUND

Exercise is an important part of maintaining an individual's health and wellbeing. For many people, exercising is an activity that typically involves going to a gymnasium where they partake in a workout guided by an instructor (e.g., a fitness instructor, a personal trainer). However, dedicating a regular period of time to exercise at a gym can be a challenging endeavor due to other commitments in one's daily life (e.g., a person's job, family obligations). Oftentimes, a gym may be located at an inconvenient location and/or an instructor's availability is limited to certain periods of time during the day, thus limiting a person's ability to attend a workout at the gym. This inconvenience may also be detrimental to the instructor whose clientele may be restricted to people who are able to attend their workout at the gym at the prescribed period of time.

SUMMARY

During a first time period and for a first user and at a compute device of the first user, a second user is automatically selected based on competitive data of the first user and competitive data of the second user. During the first time period and from the compute device of the first user to the compute device of the second user, a workout selection is sent to cause a video of a workout to be displayed during a second time period on a smart mirror of the first user and a smart mirror of the second user. During the second time period after the first time period and from the compute device of the first user to the compute device of the second user, a live stream of the first user exercising during the display of the video of the workout and captured by a camera of the smart mirror of the first user is sent, to cause the live stream of the first user to be displayed at the smart mirror of the second user during the second time period. During the second time period and at the compute device of the first user from the compute device of the second user, a live stream of the second user exercising during the display of the video of the workout and captured by a camera of the smart mirror of the second user during the second time period is received. During the second time period and at the smart mirror of the first user, the live stream of the second user is displayed. During the second time period and at the smart mirror of the first user, a performance score of the first user and a performance score of the second user is displayed while the performance score of the first user and the performance score of the second user are also displayed during the second time period at the smart mirror of the second user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smart mirror, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A shows a first example implementation of a smart mirror, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B shows a second example implementation of a smart mirror, with an integrated stand, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2C shows a third, wall-mountable example implementation of a smart mirror, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is an example flow diagram showing multiplexed communications during a video rebroadcasting session, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3B-3C show example display configuration for a video rebroadcasting session, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example locker room implementation, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing interrelatedness of certain biometric data parameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The demand for home fitness products has been increasing for years, and in the midst of widespread public health concerns arising from Covid-19, forcing many to self-quarantine, such demand, in particular for “interactive” home fitness products, has been further enhanced. Known approaches to interactive fitness, however, typically involve a user interacting with a software application running on a smartphone, making it difficult to coordinate movements with the ability to clearly view the instruction rendered via the smartphone screen. In addition, many known approaches to streaming fitness content (e.g., via smart televisions) are not interactive (i.e., they involve one-way delivery of streamable content to viewers), and can exhibit low and/or inconsistent video resolution/quality, bandwidth limitations, latency issues, reliability issues (e.g., video dropout) buffering delays, video stream stuttering, device incompatibilities, etc. Embodiments set forth herein overcome the foregoing limitations of known approaches to delivering fitness content in a variety of ways, as discussed in the sections that follow.

Smart Mirrors

A “smart mirror,” as used herein, refers to a two-way mirror (e.g., comprising glass) and an electronic display that is at least partially aligned with (and disposed behind, from the point of view of a user) the two-way mirror, such that the user can simultaneously view his/her own reflection and the imagery/video presented via the electronic display during operation of the smart mirror. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smart mirror 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The smart mirror 100 includes a single board computer (SBC) 110 that controls, at least in part, the operation of various subcomponents of the smart mirror 100 and to manage the flow of content to/from the smart mirror 100 (e.g., video content, audio from one or more instructors and/or users, biometric sensor data, etc.). The smart mirror 100 includes a display panel 120 configured to display video content and a graphical user interface (GUI) with which users may interact to control the smart mirror 100, for example to view biometric feedback data and/or other visual content, to select content for display, etc. The smart mirror 100 also includes a camera 130 operably coupled to the SBC 110 and configured (e.g., under control of the SBC 110) to record or live stream video and/or images of a user (e.g., while the user is exercising during a workout session). An antenna 140 is operably coupled to the SBC 110 and configured to facilitate communications between the smart mirror 100 and another device (e.g., a remote compute device, one or more other smart mirrors, a remote control device, one or more biometric sensors, a wireless router, one or more mobile compute devices, etc.) by transmitting and receiving signals representing messages. The antenna 140 can include multiple transmitters and receivers each configured to transmit/receive at a specific frequency and/or using a specific wireless standard (e.g., Bluetooth, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11 ac, 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G). The antenna 140 may include multiple antennas that each function as a receiver and/or a transmitter to communicate with various external devices, such as a user's smart device (e.g., a computer, a smart phone, a tablet), a biometric sensor (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a vibration sensor, or any other sensor described herein), and/or a remote server or cloud server to stream or play video content. An amplifier 150 is operably coupled to the SBC 110, a left speaker 152, a right speaker 154, and a microphone array with a digital signal processor 160, The amplifier 150 is configured to receive audio signals from the SBC 110 and route them for subsequent output through the left speaker 152 and/or the right speaker 154. The microphone array 160 can be configured to detect audio/voice, including voice commands and/or other voice inputs made by one or more users within sufficient proximity of the smart mirror 100. For example, the microphone array 160 can detect voice commands to start/stop a workout, voice communications to the instructor, voice commands to turn the display panel on/off, voice commands to change a layout of the GUI, voice commands to trigger an invitation to another smart mirror user to participate in a workout session, etc. The microphone array 160 is operably coupled to, and controllable by, the SBC 110. A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) 170 is coupled to the SBC 110 and coupled to relay (and, optionally, regulate delivery of) electrical power from an external electrical power supply system (e.g., a wall outlet) to the various components of the smart mirror 100. A switch 180 may be coupled to the SMPS 170 and/or the microphone array 160 to switch the smart mirror 100 and the microphone array 160 on and off. Although shown and described in FIG. 1 as including a single board computer 110, in other embodiments the smart mirror 100 can include one or multiple processors and one or multiple memories operably coupled to the one or multiple processors.

In some embodiments, the smart mirror 100 also includes one or more additional components not shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the smart mirror 100 may include onboard memory storage (nonvolatile memory and/or volatile memory) including, but not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SDD), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), or a secure digital (SD) card. This onboard memory storage may be used to store firmware and/or software for the operation of the smart mirror 100. As described above, the onboard memory storage may also be used to store (temporarily and/or permanently) other data including, but not limited to, video content, audio, video of the user, biometric feedback data, and user settings. The smart mirror 100 may also include a frame to mount and support the various components of the smart mirror 100.

Smart mirrors of the present disclosure may be positioned or mounted within an environment (e.g., a user's home, a fitness studio) in a variety of ways. FIG. 2A shows a first example implementation of a smart mirror, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2B shows a second example implementation of a freestanding smart mirror, with an integrated stand, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2C shows a third, wall-mountable example implementation of a smart mirror, in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the smart mirror mounted to a stand positioned at the bottom of the smart mirror. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the smart mirror reflects (via a semi-reflective or partially reflecting surface thereof) an image of a user (here, taking a picture of the smart mirror with a smart phone) and the surrounding environment. The smart mirror of FIG. 2A also displays video content through the semi-reflective or partially reflecting surface, such that the video content and the reflections of the user and the surrounding environment are concurrently viewable via the smart mirror. When the smart mirror is powered off, the smart mirror has a fully reflective appearance under ambient lighting. In some implementations, the smart mirror includes a partially reflecting section and a fully reflecting section (e.g., surrounding the partially reflecting section).

Video Rebroadcasting Sessions with Multiplexed Smart Mirror Communications (“Sweat Dates”)

In some embodiments, a previously-recorded (“archived”) video including fitness content is made available (e.g., via a cloud-based server) to, or is accessible by, a networked plurality of smart mirrors. The previously-recorded video can be a previously-aired or previously broadcast class from a library of classes stored in the cloud-based server or other storage repository. The previously-recorded video may have been captured “live” via a smart mirror camera, or may have been recorded offline (e.g., in a fitness recording studio). One or more users (“scheduler(s)”) of the smart mirrors can schedule a broadcasting or rebroadcasting “session” (hereinafter “video rebroadcasting session”) of the previously-recorded video during a specified time interval, and invite other smart mirror users from a selected group of other smart mirror users (invitees) to join the session and watch the broadcast/rebroadcast simultaneously during the specified time interval. By interacting with a software application (“app”) running on a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) and/or a smart mirror, the scheduler(s) can specify one or more of the following parameters for the video rebroadcasting session (“session data”): a start date, a start time, an end date, an end time, identifiers of user(s) that are invited to participate in the video rebroadcasting session (“invitees”), overlays to be presented to the invitees during the video rebroadcasting session, etc. The invitees can include all subscribers or users of smart mirrors within a networked community of smart mirrors, or a subset thereof. In some implementations, non-invitee smart mirror users are blocked from joining the video rebroadcasting session (e.g., by setting a “rule” that is stored in the cloud-based server or another repository accessible by and used by the app).

During the video rebroadcasting session, the scheduler and the invitees position themselves near their respective smart mirrors and view the previously-recorded video, which is displayed concurrently on the smart mirrors of all invitees, while simultaneously viewing “live” (i.e., real-time or substantially real-time) video of themselves and, optionally, the scheduler and/or one or more other invitees. Also during the video rebroadcasting session, the scheduler and the invitee(s) can interact with one another via their respective smart mirrors, e.g., visually (e.g., by gesturing within the field of view of the cameras of their respective smart mirrors, the gestures being viewable via the smart mirror(s) or one or more invitees), images (e.g., causing display of photos/images on smart mirrors of one or more invitees), voice (e.g., via the microphone(s) and speaker(s) of their respective smart mirrors), and/or by inputting feedback via the app (e.g., via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the app running on their smart mirror and/or via a GUI of the app running on their smartphone). As such, the smart mirrors, the scheduler, and the invitees (some or all of which are geographically remote from one another), as well as their communications with one another, are multiplexed within a networked system (e.g., as shown and discussed with reference to FIG. 3A, below). The feedback can include text and/or graphic symbols (e.g., emojis) that is subsequently displayed via the app of one or more invitees (e.g., via a GUI of the app running on their smart mirror and/or via a GUI of the app running on their smartphone). The disclosed system therefore facilitates multiplexed communications between and among the scheduler and the invitees, who may be geographically remote from one another. Optionally, real-time biometric data of the scheduler and/or the invitees can be displayed via a smart mirror of the scheduler and/or the invitees.

FIG. 3A is an example flow diagram showing multiplexed communications associated with scheduling and hosting a video rebroadcasting session, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A, each of multiple smart mirrors (300A, 300B, 300C and 300D) and an optional studio compute device 301 can communicate with a centralized server 310 (e.g., a cloud-based server including a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions to perform method steps described herein) via a network “N.” The network N can be a fully wireless telecommunications network, a fully wired telecommunications network, or a combination of both. The studio compute device 301 can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet and/or smartphone, and can be located in a recording studio or other location suitable for recording video and audio for live and/or subsequent broadcast. The smart mirrors 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D can be similar to, or include some or all of the components of, the smart mirror 100 of FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 3A, each of the smart mirrors 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D includes a processor 302, communications component(s) 303 (e.g., one or more antennas, transceivers, etc.), a memory 304, a video camera 305, and at least one microphone (e.g., a microphone array) 307. Each memory 304 stores an instance of a shared software application (“app” 304A), settings 304B (e.g., user-customizable settings for that smart mirror), session data 304C (e.g., including data associated with past video rebroadcasting sessions and/or future video rebroadcasting sessions), user profile data 304D for the user(s) associated with that smart mirror, and optionally a feedback archive 304E and/or account data and permissions 304F. The studio compute device 301 includes a processor 302, communications component(s) 303 (e.g., one or more antennas, transceivers, etc.), a memory 304, a video camera 305, and at least one microphone (e.g., a microphone array) 307. The memory 304 of the studio compute device 301 stores session data 304C, video(s) 315, and, optionally, an instance of the shared software application (“app” 304A). The session data 304C can include, for example, one or more of: class name(s), instructor name(s), original recording date, original recording time, number of times rebroadcast (i.e., number of previous video rebroadcasting sessions and/or future video rebroadcasting sessions), scheduled future rebroadcast date(s), scheduled future rebroadcast time(s), scheduled future rebroadcast duration(s), scheduled future rebroadcast participants/invitees, scheduled future rebroadcast scheduler(s), etc. In some implementations, the studio compute device 301 is a smart mirror.

According to some embodiments, prior to scheduling a video rebroadcasting session, one or more videos 315 (optionally recorded via the camera 305 of the studio compute device by an instructor user of the studio compute device 301) are sent to the server 310, via the network N, from the studio compute device 301. The one or more videos 315 can be stored in a memory of the server 310 for later retrieval by one or more users of the smart mirrors 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D. The users of the smart mirrors 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D can also browse the one or more videos 315 stored in the memory of the server 310 via the shared app 304 on their respective smart mirrors and/or via instances of the shared app 304 running on their respective smart phones or other mobile compute device(s). Although the one or more videos 315 are shown and described, with reference to FIG. 3A, as being sent to the server 310 from (and optionally recorded via) the studio compute device 301, alternatively or in addition, the one or more videos 315 can be sent to the server 310 from (and optionally recorded via) one or more of the smart mirrors 300A-300D. In such embodiments, the one or more videos can features the user(s) (e.g., performing workouts) rather than an instructor.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the scheduling of a video rebroadcasting session begins with a session request 320 sent from one of the networked smart mirrors (in this case, smart mirror 300B), via the network N, to the server 310. The session request 320 can be generated and sent in response to an input or interaction of a user of the smart mirror 300B via the shared app 304 running on the smart mirror 300B and/or via an instance of the shared app 304 running on the smart phone or other mobile compute device of the user. A user (or a smart mirror associated with that user) that causes generation of a session request 320 can be referred to as a “scheduler.” The session request 320 can include one or more video identifiers associated with the videos 315, one or more user identifiers associated with the scheduler(s), and/or representations of one or more: class names, instructor names, original recording dates, original recording times, number of times rebroadcast (i.e., number of previous video rebroadcasting sessions and/or future video rebroadcasting sessions), skill levels, muscle groups, requested future rebroadcast date(s), requested future rebroadcast time(s), requested future rebroadcast duration(s), requested future rebroadcast participants/invitees, etc. The server 310 can maintain a local calendar or other schedule of past, current and/or future video broadcasts and rebroadcasts. The server 310, upon receiving (and in response to) the session request 320, can compare data from the session request with data stored in the memory of the server 310 to determine whether the requested video rebroadcasting session can be scheduled. If so, the server 310 may store, in the calendar or other schedule, a new data record associated with the video rebroadcasting session. Also in response to receiving the session request, the server 310 generates and sends, to the smart mirror 300B and via the network N, a session acknowledgment message 322. The session acknowledgment message 322 can include an indication as to whether the video rebroadcasting session has been approved/scheduled, a confirmation number for the request and/or acknowledgment, and if scheduled, scheduling information. Optionally, if a requested video rebroadcasting session has not been scheduled, or has been disapproved, the session acknowledgment message 322 can include suggestions for alternative scheduling, e.g., including any of the data types included in the session request.

If the smart mirror 300B receives a session acknowledgment message 322 indicating that the video rebroadcasting session has not been scheduled, one or more session requests 320 may be sent from the smart mirror 300B to the server 310, in response to one or more of: a user selection of new session details made via the shared app, a user selection of a suggested alternative scheduling made via the shared app, or an automatic instruction generated by the smart mirror 300B based on a rule within the settings 304B of the smart mirror 300B.

If the session acknowledgment message 322 indicates that the video rebroadcasting session has been scheduled, the server 310 (and/or the smart mirror 300B or a mobile device operably coupled thereto) can send, either subsequently to or concurrently with sending the session acknowledgment message 322, invitation messages to smart mirrors associated with users that are invited to the scheduled video rebroadcasting session (e.g., as specified by the session request 320). In this case, invitations 324A, 324B and 324C are sent to smart mirrors 300A, 300C and 300D, respectively. Once received at the respective smart mirrors, the invitations can trigger the display, via the shared app 304A of the smart mirrors and/or via the shared app 304A of mobile devices (optionally operably coupled to the smart mirrors), a user-selectable option to accept an invitation to join the scheduled video rebroadcasting session. Response messages 325A, 325B and 325C are generated based on the users' selections, and sent back to the server 310 which, in turn, can update the new data record associated with the video rebroadcasting session, to indicate a participation status (e.g., “accepted” or “declined”) for each of the users and/or smart mirrors. At the scheduled session start time, the server 310 can initiate and transmit a session feed (e.g., session feeds 326A, 326B, 326C and/or 326D), or a streamed version of the video(s) associated with the one or more video identifiers of the session request, to each smart mirror associated with an “accepted” participation status. Note that in some implementations, the scheduler(s) is automatically assigned an “accepted” participation status and sent the session feed during the video rebroadcasting session, while in other implementations the scheduler(s) is not automatically assigned an “accepted” participation status and/or the session request 320 includes a representation of a participation status for the scheduler(s). During the video rebroadcasting session, the session feeds 326A, 326B, 326C and/or 326D cause display of the video(s) associated with the one or more video identifiers of the session request via the associated smart mirrors 300A, 300C, 300D and/or 300B. Also during the video rebroadcasting session, users of the smart mirrors 300A, 300C, 300D and/or 300B can send feedback (328A, 328B, 328C and/or 328D, respectively) to the smart mirror(s) of one or more other invitees, optionally subject to settings 304B and/or permissions 304F of the smart mirror(s) of one or more other invitees. The feedback can include text, images, graphics (e.g., emojis), voice and/or video that is displayed or otherwise delivered via the smart mirror(s) (and/or associated mobile device(s)) of the recipient(s). Optionally, feedback that is sent or exchanged during the video rebroadcasting session is stored in the feedback archive(s) 304E by the smart mirror(s) of one or more smart mirrors (300A, 300C and/or 300D) of the invitees. The feedback can be stored in the feedback archive(s) 304E in the form of records that include feedback date/time data, sender data, recipient data, session data and/or other data associated with the feedback, such that the feedback can subsequently be retrieved, viewed and/or displayed. The sender data can include sender identifier(s), sender biometric data, sender location data, sender fitness level data, etc. Similarly, the recipient data can include recipient identifier(s), recipient biometric data, recipient location data, recipient fitness level data, etc.

FIGS. 3B-3C show example display configuration for a video rebroadcasting session, in accordance with some embodiments. In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, while a session feed 326A-326D is being transmitted/fed to the smart mirrors 300A-300D during the video rebroadcasting session described with reference to FIG. 3A, a user “U” of a given smart mirror (e.g., smart mirror 300B) can view, concurrently and in/on a common surface of the smart mirror: (1) a reflection of himself/herself (“U”), (2) the video feed showing the pre-recorded video (e.g., including an instructor “INST”), and optionally (3) live video of one or more other invitees (here, “INV-1” through “INV-3”), captured by the smart mirrors (300A, 300C and/or 300D) of those invitees. As shown in FIG. 3B, the invitees can be presented in discrete panes arranged within the display of the common surface of the smart mirror. The panes can be arranged in a horizontal row along a smaller of a height or width of the smart mirror (as shown in FIG. 3B), or alternatively in a horizontal row along a larger of the height or width of the smart mirror, in a vertical row along a smaller of the height or width of the smart mirror, in a vertical row along a larger of the height or width of the smart mirror, or in any other (optionally user-specified and/or reconfigurable) configuration. Optionally, the smart mirror has touch-screen functionality, such that user “U” can select (by touching the image of) one of the other invitees “INV-1” through “INV-3” to cause the associated live video pane to be resized (e.g., enlarged, reduced) within the smart mirror display, to close (i.e., stop display of) the associated live video pane, etc. Alternatively or in addition, the user U can view some or all components of the video rebroadcasting session via an instance of the shared app on his/her mobile compute device and interact with the video panes using the associated GUI of the mobile compute device, such that the video panes are resized or closed on the smart mirror. In other words, in response to a user manipulation of a video pane in a GUI of his//her mobile compute device, the shared app can cause the smart mirror to adjust the way that the video pane is rendered on the smart mirror.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3C, while a session feed 326A-326D is being transmitted/fed to the smart mirrors 300A-300D during the video rebroadcasting session described with reference to FIG. 3A, a user “U” of a given smart mirror (e.g., smart mirror 300B) can view, concurrently and in/on a common surface of the smart mirror that may be oriented in a “landscape” format (i.e., the width is larger than the height): (1) a reflection of himself/herself (“U”), (2) the video feed showing the pre-recorded video (e.g., including an instructor “INST”), and optionally (3) live video of one or more other invitees (here, “INV-1” through “INV-3”), captured by the smart mirrors (300A, 300C and/or 300D) of those invitees. As shown in FIG. 3C, the live video images of the invitees can be presented within the common surface of the smart mirror (not in panes) and arranged (e.g., dimensioned) such that the invitees are similar in size to, or at least 50% the size of, the size of the reflected image of user U, thereby simulating a live “class” environment. As also shown in FIG. 3C, one or more “guest” users may be sufficiently permissioned (or request permission in realtime) to join an ongoing video rebroadcasting session, and may be labelled as such within the smart mirror display. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the smart mirror optionally has touch-screen functionality, such that user “U” can select (by touching the image of) one of the other invitees “INV-1” through “INV-3” to cause the associated live video to be resized (e.g., enlarged, reduced) within the smart mirror display, to close (i.e., stop display of) the associated live video, etc. Alternatively or in addition, the user U can view some or all components of the video rebroadcasting session via an instance of the shared app on his/her mobile compute device and interact with the live video of the invitees using the associated GUI of the mobile compute device, such that the live video images are resized or closed on the smart mirror. In other words, in response to a user manipulation of a live video image in a GUI of his//her mobile compute device, the shared app can cause the smart mirror to adjust the way that the live video is rendered on the smart mirror.

Camera Activation in Mirror Device

In some embodiments, a live video/camera feed of a first smart mirror (e.g., smart mirror 100 of FIG. 1 ) from a networked plurality of smart mirrors (e.g., smart mirrors 300A-300D of FIG. 3A) is transmitted (as a “live stream”) to one or multiple other smart mirrors from the networked plurality of smart mirrors, for example via a wired or wireless network (e.g., network N of FIG. 3A) and via a server (e.g., server 310 of FIG. 3A). The live streaming can be selectively turned on and off by the user of the first smart mirror and/or by the users of the one or multiple other smart mirrors from the networked plurality of smart mirrors, for example, according to permissions. The action of turning on or off the live stream can be in response to one or more of: an interaction by a user with an instance of a shared app on the smart mirror, an interaction by a user with an instance of a shared app on a mobile compute device, a voice/nose command made by a user via an instance of a shared app on the smart mirror, a voice/noise command made by a user via an instance of a shared app on a mobile compute device, a gesture command made by a user via an instance of a shared app on the smart mirror, a gesture command made by a user via an instance of a shared app on a mobile compute device, etc. The live stream can be captured by one or more smart mirrors from the streaming feed to produce captured video, and the captured video can be modified post-capture to remove and/or to add graphical elements, thereby producing modified captured video. The graphical elements can be images or animations that modify the user or the environment around the user (e.g. obscuring a user's background, modifying a user's appearance, overlaying one or more filters, and/or adding one or more dynamic effects (e.g., an augmented reality (AR) feature such as a pet or a crackling fire)). The captured video and/or the modified captured video can be sent from the smart mirror(s) to a remote server (e.g., a cloud server, such as server 310 in FIG. 3A), for example for subsequent retrieval, rebroadcast, etc.

Encouragement Messaging:

In some embodiments, during a workout session, a video rebroadcasting session, and/or a “locker room” session (discussed further below), smart mirror users can cause the display of encouragement messages (e.g., including text, images, video, graphics (e.g., emojis), gestures, voice, animation, etc.) to be displayed in the smart mirrors and/or mobile compute devices (e.g., via a GUI of a shared app running thereon) of other smart mirror users within a networked plurality of smart mirrors. The encouragement messages can be generated and sent from a sender compute device (e.g., smart mirror, app, or smartphone) in response to an input or interaction of a user of a given smart mirror via a shared app running on that smart mirror and/or via an instance of the shared app 304 running on a smart phone or other mobile compute device of the user. Encouragement messages can be sent between individual users (i.e., one-to-one), for example between workout session participants and/or between an instructor and a workout session participant, or from a single user to multiple users, up to the entire community of users (i.e., one-to-many). Encouragement messages can be stored in memory, e.g., in the form of records that include feedback date/time data, sender data, recipient data, session data, workout data, maliciousness score(s), offensiveness score(s), sentiment score(s), and/or other data associated with the encouragement messages, such that the encouragement messages can subsequently be retrieved, viewed and/or displayed. The encouragement messages can be stored automatically, according to a user-defined rule, and/or in response to a user request. The encouragement messages can be stored in a memory of one or more smart mirrors, one or more remote servers (e.g., cloud servers), and/or one or more mobile compute devices.

Encouragement messages, once received at smart mirrors and/or mobile compute devices, may first be inspected, and a determination may be made as to whether the sender, a smart mirror or mobile compute device of the sender (i.e., a sender device), and/or the message contents are sufficiently permissioned or have previously been “whitelisted” such that they may be delivered or presented to the intended recipient. For example, the smart mirror and/or mobile compute device, via a processor thereof and/or via a shared app, can perform one or more of the following inspections/checks: analyze the message contents to determine a maliciousness score, analyze the message contents to determine an offensiveness score, analyze the message contents to determine a sentiment score, evaluate the message contents based on a set of rules or permissions, compare a sender identifier to stored sender data to determine whether the associated sender has been whitelisted, blacklisted, or has one or more associated permissions, compare a sender device identifier to stored device data to determine whether the associated sender device has been whitelisted, blacklisted, or has one or more associated permissions, etc. After the inspections/checks have been performed, the smart mirror and/or mobile compute device, via a processor thereof and/or via a shared app, can perform one or more of the following remediation actions: block delivery of the encouragement message to the recipient (e.g., prevent display of the encouragement message), send a reply message to the sender to indicate that the encouragement message has not been delivered, etc. The remediation actions can be performed in response to one or more triggers, which can include, but are not limited to: a maliciousness score exceeding a predefined, user-customizable threshold, detecting that the sender is has been blacklisted, detecting that the sender device has been blacklisted, detecting a rule that prevents delivery of messages from the sender, detecting a rule that prevents delivery of messages from the sender device, detecting a rule that prevents delivery of messages containing one or more predefined, user-customizable keywords, detecting a rule that prevents delivery of messages containing profanity, etc.

As used herein, a maliciousness score can be a numerical score that is generated using a machine learning algorithm configured to detect malware, spyware, spam and other unwanted messages. As used herein, an offensiveness score can refer to a numerical score that is generated based on one or more of: a linguistic model, one or more previous ratings assigned by the intended recipient user, a user-customizable sensitivity score associated with the intended recipient user, etc. As used herein, a sentiment score can refer to a numerical score (including positive values and negative values) generated by a machine learning model, the numerical score representing an overall sentiment or tone (e.g., angry, menacing, passive-aggressive, sarcastic, encouraging, happy, etc.) of an input message.

In some embodiments, encouragement messages are sent after a sender-specified time delay or at a sender-specified scheduled date/time or period (e.g., during a class scheduled for the next day). Alternatively or in addition, the display of encouragement messages received at a smart mirror (or app thereof) of a recipient may be delayed by, or blocked for, a recipient-defined period of time or until a user-defined event occurs or has transpired (e.g., after class to avoid distraction).

In some embodiments, encouragement messages are sent automatically to a first smart mirror (e.g., from a server and/or from one or more other smart mirrors), in response to detecting that one or more predefined conditions have been meet and/or that one or more rules have been satisfied. Examples of rules can include, but are not limited to: a rule to send encouragement messages to recipients that are friends and that that have set a new record within a predetermined preceding time period; a rule to send an encouragement message to a recipient in response to detecting that a performance metric (e.g., heart rate, intensity, breathing rate, cadence, power, etc.) of the recipient has reduced by at least a predetermined percentage within a predetermined period of time; a rule to send an encouragement message to a recipient in response to detecting that a workout session in which the recipient is participating is within a predetermined of time of an end time of the workout session (e.g., nearing the end of the workout session or a high-intensity portion thereof), a rule to randomly send encouragement messages (e.g., the timing, recipient and/or contents of the encouragement messages can be randomly selected), etc. Examples of conditions can include, but are not limited to: the existence of a friend relationship between the sender and the receiver; the existence of one or multiple social media connections between the sender and the receiver; fewer than a predetermined number of encouragement messages sent within a preceding predetermined period of time, etc.

In some embodiments, encouragement messages can be configured to “persist” within a GUI of the recipient (e.g., in the smart mirror of the recipient and/or in a smartphone or other mobile device of the recipient). As used herein, “persist” can refer to the continuous display for a predetermined extended period of time (e.g., greater than one minute, greater than five minutes, greater than ten minutes, for the duration of a workout session, until the smart mirror is turned off, or indefinitely) and/or until closed or minimized by the recipient. For example, in some such embodiments, an encouragement message is configured to display as a banner having at least one dimension that is the same as a width or a height of the smart mirror and/or having at least one dimension that is the same as a width or a height of the display panel of the smart mirror. In some such implementations, an encouragement message (e.g., in the form of a banner) persists within a portion of a display panel of a smart mirror when the remainder of the display panel is no longer displaying video (i.e., the remainder of the display panel has a mirror appearance).

In some embodiments, a smart mirror (or an app thereof) is configured to convert one or more encouragement messages, received from a sender from a first, as-received format, to a user-defined (i.e., recipient-defined) format that is different from the as-received format, either based on one or more rules stored in memory or based on an input received at the smart mirror and/or via the app from the user/recipient. Examples of as-received formats and user-defined formats include, but are not limited to: text, image, bitmap (e.g., Graphics Interchange Format (“GIF”)), animated GIF, video, audio, haptic/vibration feedback, Adobe Flash, watermark, etc. In some such embodiments, the rules stored in memory and/or the input from the user/recipient include instructions to present the encouragement messages using one of a display panel or a speaker of the smart mirror, or to cause communication of the encouragement messages to a recipient using an antenna of the smart mirror (e.g., by transmitting a signal to one or more compute devices, apps, or smart accessories in network communication with the smart mirror).

As a first example, a received encouragement message including a visual hand clap emoji can be converted to an audio hand clap that is played via the left speaker and/or the right speaker of the smart mirror. As a second example, a received encouragement message including a text message can be converted to a graphic image that is displayed via the display panel of the smart mirror. As a third example, a received encouragement message including an audio file (e.g., including a representation of speech or of sounds such as clapping) can be converted to text that is displayed via the display panel of the smart mirror. As a fourth example, a received encouragement message including image data can be converted to a GIF that is displayed via the display panel of the smart mirror. As a fifth example, a received encouragement message including graphic image data (e.g., an emoji) can be converted to a signal that is sent, via an antenna of the smart mirror, to an app running on a smart phone of the recipient, to cause display of a reduced-size image based on the graphic image data. As a sixth example, a received encouragement message including a text message can be converted to a signal that is sent, via an antenna of the smart mirror, to a wearable electronic accessory of the recipient (e.g., a bracelet) to cause a vibration (e.g., in a predefined pattern, with a predefined intensity, etc.) of the wearable electronic accessory. As a seventh example, a received encouragement message including a text message can be converted to a log file that is stored within a memory of the smart mirror (or in a remote server communicatively coupled to the smart mirror), for later retrieval/viewing. As an eighth example, a received encouragement message including a text image and/or image file can be converted into a social media post that is sent, via an app, for posting on one or multiple social media platforms (e.g., according to one or more predefined rules, which may specify privacy settings, post timing, automatic caption generation, rules for tagging other social media users, etc.).

In some embodiments, the smart mirror, app and/or mobile compute device associated with the smart mirror is configured to automatically generate and send a reply message (e.g., including another encouragement message, acknowledging receipt of the encouragement message, expressing gratitude for the encouragement message, etc.) to the sender compute device associated with the encouragement message.

In some embodiments, the smart mirror, app and/or mobile compute device stores rules or filters configured to block delivery, display, or presentation of an encouragement message in response to determining that a sentiment score, calculated for the encouragement message, is associated with an overall sentiment or tone of for example angry, menacing, passive-aggressive, or sarcastic.

In some embodiments, a smart mirror, app and/or mobile compute device can store rules or filters configured to block sending, delivery, display, or presentation of an encouragement message in response to detecting one or more predefined recipient conditions, which may include (but are not limited to): poor performance in a workout (e.g., a performance metric, optionally correlated to one or more biometric data values, such as speed, range of motion, muscle activation, etc. being below a predefined threshold value), injury (e.g., during a workout), distress, heart rate above a predefined threshold, etc. The one or more predefined recipient conditions can be detected based on live video data associated with the recipient (e.g., gathered via the smart mirror and/or the mobile compute device), sensor data gathered by one or more wearable electronic accessories (e.g., received at the smart mirror and/or the mobile compute device), etc.

In some embodiments, an instructor provides input to his/her smart mirror and/or mobile compute device (e.g., via voice, video gesturing, touch interaction with a graphical user interface, etc.) to cause display, within a display panel or GUI of a plurality of smart mirrors and/or mobile compute devices of a subset of workout participants, a request or suggestion for the subset of workout participants to send encouragement messages to at least one other workout participant not included in the subset of workout participants.

In some embodiments, encouragement messages received for a given recipient user of a smart mirror can be stored (e.g., in memory of the smart mirror and/or in a memory of a cloud server or other remote compute device communicably coupled with the smart mirror, app and/or mobile compute device of the user), as “encouragement data,” and tracked over time. The encouragement data can be compared to other real-time and/or stored data associated with the user, such as sensor data, workout performance data, workout data (e.g., type, intensity, instructor, number of participants, targeted muscle groups, etc.), social media data, biometric data, etc. to determine the effectiveness of the (historical) encouragement messages. Based on the determined effectiveness of the historical encouragement messages, the smart mirror and/or app (optionally using one or more artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g., machine learning) algorithms) can determine encouragement message types and/or encouragement message delivery timing that are deemed to be most effective in helping/encouraging the recipient user.

Challenge (“Face-Off”) Workouts

In some embodiments, a first user of a first smart mirror in a first location can send a “challenge” request (e.g., by interacting with a GUI of the first smart mirror or by interacting with a GUI of a first mobile compute device of the first user) to a second user of a second smart mirror in a second location (the second smart mirror being different from the first smart mirror and the first location being different from the second location). The challenge request is then displayed via a GUI of the second smart mirror (and/or via a GUI of a second mobile compute device of the second user), and the second user can accept or deny the challenge request via the same GUI(s). If the second user denies the challenge request, a “denied” response is sent back to the first smart mirror and/or the first mobile compute device. If the second user accepts the challenge request, an “accepted” response is sent back to the first smart mirror and/or the first mobile compute device, and a challenge workout (e.g., selected by the first user, as part of the challenge request generation) is simultaneously or substantially simultaneously displayed via both the first smart mirror and the second smart mirror, optionally at a mutually agreed later time.

During the challenge workout, video of the first user, obtained via one or more video cameras of the first smart mirror and/or via camera(s) of the first mobile compute device, and/or audio of the first user, obtained via one or more microphones of the first smart mirror and/or via microphone(s) first mobile compute device, are live streamed to the second smart mirror and displayed via the display panel of the second smart mirror. Similarly, during the challenge workout, video of the second user, obtained via one or more video cameras of the second smart mirror, and/or audio of the second user, obtained via one or more microphones of the second smart mirror, are live streamed to the first smart mirror and displayed via the display panel of the first smart mirror. As such, during the challenge workout, the first user and the second user can see themselves and their challenger (i.e., the other user) in their respective smart mirrors. In some embodiments, the challenge workout can include audio and/or video of one or more instructors, which can be live and/or pre-recorded. For example, the one or more instructors can direct the challenge workout between the first user and the second user. Also during the workout, each of the first smart mirror and the second smart mirror (e.g., via the app running on the smart mirror) can: analyze and/or record video of the first user, analyze and/or record video of the second user, receive (and, optionally, analyze) biometric data (e.g., measurements and/or calculations related to human characteristics) from one or more wearable electronic accessories of the first user, and/or receive (and, optionally, analyze) biometric data from one or more wearable electronic accessories of the second user, to determine scores (referred to herein as, for example, “workout challenge scores” and “performance scores”) for the first user and the second user, and to identify a winner of the challenge workout based on the scores. In addition and/or alternatively, during the workout, each of the first smart mirror and the second smart mirror can receive (and, optionally, analyze) data from one or more smart/connected non-wearable electronic accessories of the first user (e.g., smart or connected weights), and/or receive (and, optionally, analyze) data from one or more non-wearable electronic accessories of the second user; such data can be, for example, measurements and/or calculations related to movements of the user with the non-wearable electronic accessory and/or characteristics of the non-wearable electronic accessory such as the location, movement, weight, type, make/model and/or serial number of the electronic accessory. In some embodiments, the scores can include numeric values that are associated with, or calculated based on, the biometric data, but that do not include the biometric data itself. For example, a heartrate within a first range may be assigned a score of “1,” whereas a heartrate within a second range may be assigned a score of “2.” In other embodiments, the scores can include non-numeric values (e.g., letters, characters, symbols, graphics, images, etc.). For example, a breathing rate within a first range may be assigned a score of “A,” whereas a breathing rate within a second range may be assigned a score of “B.” In some embodiments, an indication of a current score, a previous score, or a total score (e.g., from current and previous scores) can be displayed in the display panel of the smart mirror (e.g., within or overlaid on the video of the user). In some embodiments, an indication of a current score, a previous score, and/or a total score can be stored and/or encoded in the memory of the mirror (e.g., as a file in memory, or as metadata of a recorded video file). The winner of the challenge workout can be displayed (as text, image(s) and/or audio output) via a GUI of the first smart mirror (and/or the first mobile compute device), displayed (as text, image(s), video(s), animation(s) and/or audio output) via the second smart mirror (and/or the first mobile compute device), and saved in at least one memory (e.g., of the first smart mirror, the second smart mirror, a cloud-based server or other remote server, etc.) for later retrieval and viewing.

In other embodiments, a first user and a second user of a common (single) smart mirror in a common (single) location can select a challenge workout (e.g., by interacting with a GUI of the smart mirror, by interacting with a GUI of a first mobile compute device of the first user, or by interacting with a GUI of a second mobile compute device of the second user). In response to selecting the challenge workout, the smart mirror displays a challenge workout (e.g., selected by the first user and/or the second user, as part of the challenge workout selection). During the challenge workout, live video of the first user and the second user, obtained via one or more video cameras of the smart mirror, is displayed via the smart mirror display panel. The challenge workout can be similar to the challenge workout for users using separate smart mirrors (as described above), except that the challenge workout is viewed by both the first user and the second user on the common smart mirror. For example, video and/or audio of both the first user and the second user can be displayed via the display panel of the common smart mirror. Similar to challenge workouts for users on separate mirrors, the common smart mirror can (via the app) analyze and/or record video of the first user and the second user, either collectively (e.g., video of both the first user and the second user simultaneously) or independently (e.g., the video of the first user separate from the video of the second user). The common smart mirror can also receive (and, optionally, analyze) biometric data from one or more wearable electronic accessories from the first user and/or the second user of the common smart mirror during the challenge workout. Similar to challenge workouts for users on separate mirrors, the common smart mirror can determine scores for the first user and the second user (e.g., based on the video and/or biometric data received by the common smart mirror) and identify the winner of the challenge workout based on the scores. The winner of the challenge workout can be displayed (as text, image(s) and/or audio output) via the GUI of the common smart mirror (and/or via the first mobile compute device and/or via the second mobile compute device) and saved in a least one memory for later retrieval and viewing.

In other embodiments, a user of a smart mirror in a given location can select a challenge workout (e.g., by interacting with a GUI of the smart mirror or by interacting with a GUI of a mobile compute device of the user), where the challenge workout includes a previously-recorded video of the user performing a desired workout (and, optionally, including an overlay of numeric and/or non-numeric scores calculated at the time of the previous recording). In response to selecting the challenge workout, the smart mirror displays (“replays”) the challenge workout, such that the user can “face off” against his/her own previous performance of the workout. During the challenge workout, live video of the user, obtained via one or more video cameras of the smart mirror, is displayed via the smart mirror display panel, along with the challenge workout (with optional score overlay(s)) and, optionally, with an additional overlay of numeric and/or non-numeric scores based on the user's performance during the replay of the challenge workout. For example, in some such embodiments, the user can view both his/her score(s) from the previously-recorded video and his/her score(s) calculated during the replay, so that he/she can compare them and be motivated by them. The score(s) may change over time, throughout the duration of the challenge workout. In some embodiments, rather than displaying the scores from the previously-recorded video and the scores calculated during the replay individually, a numeric or non-numeric representation of the difference between the scores from the previously-recorded video and the scores calculated during the replay may be generated and displayed (e.g., a graphic, such as a thermometer, that shows a user (for example, via a color of the graphic, a length of the graphic, etc.) whether he/she is performing better or worse than he/she did during the previously-recorded workout, at any given time). In other words, the graphic can represent the user's “relative” performance, as compared with the previously-recorded workout. In some embodiments, an indication of a current score, a previous score, or a total score (e.g., from current and previous scores) can be displayed in the display panel of the smart mirror (e.g., within the video of the user). In some embodiments, an indication of a current score, a previous score, and/or a total score can be stored and/or encoded in the memory of the mirror (e.g., as a file in memory, or as metadata of a recorded video file).

In still other embodiments, a first user of a first smart mirror in a first location and a second user of a second smart mirror in a second location (the second smart mirror being different from the first smart mirror and the first location being different from the second location) can be selected automatically for a challenge workout (referred to herein as a “face-off pairing”), by the app, based on a competitive compatibility score generated using a competitive compatibility algorithm. The competitive compatibility algorithm can use some or all of the following data (i.e., competitive data) to determine face-off pairings: historical biometric data, current biometric data, historical sensor data, current sensor data, historical workouts, historical workout performance, current workout and exercise, user preferences, user demographics, user location, and user friends/connections. For example, the app can select a second user (the second user being from a set of potential second users) for a face-off pairing with a first user by generating a competitive compatibility score for the first user and each potential second user in the set of potential second users, and then selecting the second user for a face-off pairing with the first user based on the highest competitive compatibility score generated for each potential second user in the set of potential second users. Upon automatic selection of a face-off pairing, the app can send challenge requests to the smart mirrors of the first user and the second user, for display via a GUI thereof, such that the first user and the second user can accept or deny the challenge request. If both the first user and the second user accept the challenge request, a challenge workout (e.g., selected by the app, optionally also based on the competitive compatibility algorithm) is displayed via both smart mirrors simultaneously. For example, when the compatibility score is based on user location, the app can select a second user for a face-off pairing with the first user based on the first user and the second user being located (or living) near each other. For another example, when the compatibility score is based on user friends/connections, the app can select a second user for a face-off pairing with the first user based on the first user and the second user being previously or concurrently designated as friends or connected together for certain functions/features (e.g., as described herein such as through a double opt-in process). Similarly, in some embodiments, a first user and a second user of a common (single) smart mirror in a common (single) location can be selected for a face-off pairing, by the app, using the competitive compatibility algorithm. Upon selection of a face-off pairing, the app can send challenge requests to the common smart mirror, for display via the GUI thereof, such that the first user and the second user can accept or deny the challenge request. If both the first user and the second user or one of the first user or second user accepts the challenge request, a challenge workout is displayed via the common smart mirror.

Note that although the face-off pairing process is described in connection with an app, which can be located and operating for example at the smart mirror, mobile compute device and/or electronic accessory of the first user, it should be understood that the face-off pairing process alternatively can be managed and controlled at a remote server (e.g., centralized server or a cloud-based server) with which the app communicates. In yet another alternative, the functionality of the face-off pairing process can be split between the app (located and operating at the smart mirror, mobile compute device and/or electronic accessory of the first user) and the remote server with which the app communicates.

In some embodiments, a first user of a first smart mirror can provide an indication of availability for a face-off pairing (e.g., by interacting with a GUI of the smart mirror or by interacting with a GUI of a mobile compute device of the user), such that a second user of a second smart mirror can be automatically identified for a face-off pairing based on the indication of availability for a face-off pairing. For example, a user of smart mirror can provide an indication of availability for a face-off pairing when the user is engaged in a challenge workout, when the user is engaged in an exercise using the smart mirror, when the user is engaged in an exercise and not using the smart mirror, or when the user is not engaged in an exercise and not using the smart mirror. In some embodiments, the indication of availability for a face-off pairing can be configured such that the app will only select a face-off pairing between a first user and a second user if the first user has prior knowledge of the second user (e.g., by previous interaction within the app or by previous interaction outside the app). In some embodiments, the indication of availability for a face-off pairing can be configured such that the app can select a face-off pairing between a first user and a second user in which the first user has no prior knowledge of the second user (e.g., the first user is willing to participate in a face-off pairing with a stranger). Thus, by providing an indication of availability for a face-off pairing, the first user can customize the timing of their face-off pairings and customize the users to which they will be selected for a face-off pairing.

In some embodiments, the app can identify face-off pairings based on a threshold score for the competitive compatibility score (generated using the competitive compatibility algorithm described above) such that the app will not select face-off pairings for users with a competitive compatibility score below the threshold score. The threshold score can be predefined, determined automatically by the app based on the competitive data of a user, or defined by the user. For example, the app will not identify a face-off pairing between a first user and a second user when their compatibility score is below a pre-defined threshold score. As another example, the app will not identify a face-off pairing between a first user and a second user when their compatibility score is below a threshold score as determined by the competitive data of the first user. In some embodiments, a first user can define a threshold score (e.g., via the GUI of the app) such that the app will not identify a face-off pairing between the first user and a second user when their compatibility score is below the threshold score defined by the first user.

In some embodiments, the app can identify face-off pairings with a low competitive compatibility score between a first user and a second user. In such face-off pairings, the first user and/or the second user can optionally use a handicap to the workout challenge scores (i.e., the scores to identify the winner of the challenge workout) of the first user and/or second user. Thus, using a handicap to the workout challenge scores can equalize competition between the first user and the second user in a challenge workout. For example, a first user and a second user with a low competitive compatibility score can participate in a challenge workout in which the first user uses a handicap to their workout challenge score such that the handicapped workout challenge score is competitive with the workout challenge score of the second user. In some embodiments, a first user can provide an indication of handicapping for a face-off pairing (e.g., by interacting with a GUI of the smart mirror or by interacting with a GUI of a mobile compute device of the user), such that a second user of a second smart mirror can be automatically identified for a face-off pairing based on the indication of handicapping for a face-off pairing. The indication of handicapping can indicate a user's preference for using a handicapped challenge workout score. For example, a first user can provide an indication of a handicapping so that the first user can compete in a workout challenge with a second user such that the first user and/or the second user uses a handicap to their workout challenge score. Alternatively, a first user can provide an indication of handicapping so that the first user can compete in a workout challenge with a second user such that the first user and/or second user does not use a handicap to their workout challenge score.

In some embodiments, the app uses AI to automatically identify face-off pairings that are predicted to promote increased future user engagement. The AI can be used to predict and/or target certain outcomes (e.g., predefined outcomes) of the face-off pairings, such as: winning a challenge, losing a challenge, workout challenge scores or ranges of scores (e.g., performance scores), connecting users (e.g., making friends), starting a subscription to new workout content, increased purchases of online content, participation in group and/or team activities, educating users, communicating between users, share workouts, etc. For example, AI can be used to target predefined outcomes by selecting a specified user having a higher predicted likelihood of winning certain challenges, and/or by selecting a specified user having a higher predicted likelihood of losing certain challenges. In some such embodiments, AI may select face-off pairings such that a user that has been exercising less frequently is predicted to lose automatically identified face-off pairings more frequently, and/or such that a user that has been exercising more frequently is predicted to win automatically identified face-off pairings more frequently. The AI can automatically identify face-off pairings based on competitive data, such as the competitive compatibility score described above.

In some embodiments, a networked plurality of smart mirrors can be configured (e.g., via a shared app, optionally also running on one or more mobile compute devices of users of the smart mirrors) to host a tournament competition including a plurality of face-off pairings. Each face-off pairing can be broadcast via the networked plurality of smart mirrors to spectator users, participant users, and/or competitor users within the tournament (e.g., who have signed up for the tournament via the app). The tournament competition can be hosted as a single competitive event (i.e., in which a user or set of users is declared the winner of the event) or can go on indefinitely (i.e., in which a user or set of users are consistently able to achieve or lose their rank in the tournament). For example, in some embodiments, the tournament competition can be a ladder tournament, in which the app can automatically update a user listing within a ladder (which may be displayed in each mirror of the networked plurality of mirrors) in real-time or at a various times as the ladder tournament progresses. For example, users competing in a ladder tournament can move up or down their rank in the ladder based on the results of the face-off challenges (e.g., based on the comparison of the performance scores of users in the face-off challenges). The tournament competition can include elimination of users based on the results of face-off challenges. For example, the tournament competition can be a knockout tournament, a round-robin tournament, a single-elimination tournament, a double-elimination tournament, a triple-elimination tournament, or a best-of-n tournament (in which a competitor must lose a majority of n games to be eliminated). In some embodiments, the app can determine and/or update a schedule and/or an indication of a schedule for competitors in a tournament (e.g., a ladder schedule for a ladder tournament), as well as determine and/or update individual face-off pairings within the competition (e.g., initial rankings of competitors in a ladder tournament). In some embodiments, the initial rankings of competitors within a tournament can be based, in part, on the competitive compatibility scores of the competitors participating in the tournament.

In some embodiments, face-off pairings can be between at least two “teams” of smart mirror users, with each team including two or more competitors. During the face-off workouts, each team member within a given face-off pairing can view, via his/her smart mirror, the video and/or performance metrics (e.g., workout challenge scores) of the other team members, as well as the current metric totals for each team. The teams can compete with each other in parallel or in series. Teams can be assigned a team score based on the individual workout challenge scores of each team member. During the workout, each team member can contribute simultaneously or serially to the team score, and each member can view their current team score. During the face-off workouts, teams and/or individual team members can optionally use a handicap to their workout challenge scores, as described above.

In some embodiments, face-off pairings of individual users can be implemented in a “tag team” format, such that a first user competes with a second user one-on-one, and when one of the users (e.g., the first user) tires out, a third user (e.g., viewing the face-off workout) can “tag” in and take the place of the first user, to continue the tag team face-off workout (with the third user's being captured by the smart mirror of the third user and displayed via the smart mirror of the first user, the smart mirror of the second user and/or the smart mirror of the third user) in a continuous manner. For example, when one of the users (e.g., the first user) tires out, that user can send an indication to stop the competition and to be replaced by another user on the same team (e.g., the third user) or the user on the same team (e.g., the third user) can send an indication to replace the prior user in the competition (e.g., the first user). Once the prior user (e.g., the first user) has been replaced with the user on the same team (e.g., the third user), a performance score for the team can be determined and/or displayed; such a performance score can be based, for example, collectively on the performance of the prior user during the competition (e.g., the first user) and the performance of the user on the same team (e.g., the third user). The performance score collectively for the prior user (e.g., the first user) and the user on the same team (e.g., the third user) can be calculated, for example, by weighting a performance metric value of the prior user (e.g., the first user) based on the time for which the prior user participated in the competition, weighting a performance metric value of the user on the same team (e.g., the third user) based on the time for which the user on the same team participated in the competition, and adding together the two weighted performance metric values. Although the above discussion is specific to one team participating in the competition, the above discussion can be applied to another team participating in the competition such as a team comprising another prior user (e.g., the second user) and another user on that team (e.g., a fourth user).

Similarly, face-off pairings of individual users can be implemented in a “relay race” format, such that a first user competes with a second user one-on-one, and when each of the first user and the second user reaches a particular/predetermined stage (e.g., distance, time, etc.), a third user and a fourth user, take over for the first user and the second user, respectively, to continue the relay face-off workout in a continuous manner.

In-Workout Spotlights:

In some embodiments, a plurality of users, each with his/her own smart mirror, participates, in parallel, in a common workout presented via their smart mirrors. During the workout, a “spotlight” display (e.g., including text, graphics, images and/or animation) can be applied to or associated with one or more selected users, and the spotlight display can be presented (e.g., as an overlay on a representation of the selected user(s)), via the smart mirrors of the participant users. The spotlight display can be transient (e.g., configured to be displayed for a predetermined period of time). The user(s) selected to be “spotlighted” can be selected automatically (e.g., by the app, using an algorithm, rule(s) and/or schedule) or can be selected by one or more of the participant users. For example, a user who is celebrating a birthday on the day of the workout can be automatically chosen for a spotlight, in response to determining (e.g., based on a calendar) that it is his/her birthday.

In some embodiments, a spotlight display is generated, selected and/or displayed (e.g., by a smart mirror, an app running on the smart mirror, a remote server communicably coupled to the smart mirror, a mobile compute device communicably coupled to the smart mirror, and/or an app running on the mobile compute device) using one or more AI algorithms. For example, an AI algorithm can identify, e.g., based on biometric data of one or more users from the plurality of users collected within a predefined period of time, one or more users from the plurality of users that are determined to need, or to be most in need of, encouragement, inspiration, or motivation (e.g., based on a detected decline in intensity, power, etc.). In some such embodiments, where more than a predetermined threshold number of users from the plurality of users are identified as needing encouragement, the AI algorithm and/or the app can down-select a subgroup of users from those identified as needing encouragement, such that spotlight displays are only displayed for those users within the subgroup (e.g., to avoid visually crowding/overwhelming the display, diluting the message, etc.). Similarly and more generally, in other embodiments, where more than a predetermined threshold number of users from the plurality of users are identified as candidates to be “spotlighted,” for example because they have birthdays or anniversaries, the AI algorithm and/or the app can down-select a subgroup of users from those candidates, such that spotlight displays are only displayed for those users within the subgroup (e.g., to avoid visually crowding/overwhelming the display, diluting the message, etc.).

Friending

In some embodiments, a first user of a first smart mirror can “invite” at least a second user of a second smart mirror to become a friend via a “double-opt-in” process (i.e., both the first user and the second user agree to friend each other). A number of “friends” of the first user who have previously completed a workout or attended a class, or who are actively participating in an ongoing instance of the workout, may be displayed and/or highlighted (optionally with prioritization) within the GUI of the given user's smart mirror during the workout or prior to the workout. Alternatively or in addition, live video of one or more friends of the first user may be displayed and/or highlighted (optionally with prioritization) during the workout, and/or icons, images, text, or other representations of the one or more friends of the first user may be displayed and/or highlighted (optionally with prioritization) during the workout.

In some embodiments, a smart mirror of a first user displays (e.g., during a workout) an activity feed that is viewable by the first user and, optionally, by friends of the first user (e.g., via their respective smart mirror). The activity feed can include data associated with the first user and with friends of the first user, including (but not limited to) one or more of: name, username, location, online status, workout log, biometric data (e.g., heart rate data), images, videos, accomplishments, milestones, etc. A first user may interact with an activity feed of a friended user, e.g., by posting text, emojis, videos, images, etc. in the activity feed.

In some embodiments, a smart mirror of a first user displays (e.g., during a workout) a leaderboard of all friended users, a subset of friended users, or users from the entire networked smart mirror community. Positioning of users within the leaderboard can be based on any or all of the following metrics: workouts completed, biometric data (e.g., heart rate data), points earned during competitive (e.g., “challenge”) workouts, and values calculated based on the foregoing data (e.g., most improved user(s)). The leaderboard can include a “podium” section (e.g., at the top of the leaderboard) that includes a predefined number (e.g., two, three, four, or five) of the highest-ranked users.

Trending Workouts

In some embodiments, workouts that are “trending” in a predefined community or subset of the community (e.g., a subset of the community that includes users similar to a first user) can be displayed via a smart mirror to the first user. As used herein, “trending” can refer to the condition of having a high overall rating, a high recent rating (e.g., within a predefined preceding period of time), a high overall usage, a high recent usage (e.g., within a predefined preceding period of time), etc. Trends can be defined and/or identified using one or more AI algorithms. For example, AI can be used to determine a desirable time window over which to identify trends (e.g., day, week, month, season) and/or a desirable geographic region within which to identify trends (e.g., country, state, county, city) and/or a desirable subset of users among which to identify trends (e.g., demographics, fitness level, workout frequency, user preferences, user settings, friends, etc.), such that a predicted level of user engagement resulting from the trending displays is higher/highest. Trends can be associated with a particular exercise type (e.g., yoga, running, boxing).

Milestones

In some embodiments, a plurality of users, each with his/her own smart mirror, participates, in parallel, in a common workout presented via their smart mirrors. During, before and/or after the workout, one or more “milestones” (e.g., notable events) can be displayed or otherwise presented via one or more smart mirrors (e.g., as text, audio, video, graphics, images, GIFs, etc.). A milestone can be identified (e.g., by a server, by one or more of the smart mirrors, an app running on one or more of the smart mirrors and/or an app running on one or more mobile compute devices) based, for example, on one or more of: class performance (e.g., based on data gathered during a workout, such as video data and biometric data), exercise performance (e.g., based on data gathered while performing the exercise, such as video data and biometric data), class attendance, performance across workouts (e.g., based on data gathered during a workout, such as video data and biometric data), calendar events (e.g., anniversary of signing up via the smart mirror, birthday, friend anniversaries), and smart mirror community or social interactions. Milestones can be displayed according to a predefined schedule, and thus may expected by the user(s). Alternatively, milestones can be surprise and/or unexpected achievements, such that the user(s) are not expecting to see them. AI can be used to determine one of the following, with regard to milestones: time(s)/date(s) for presenting surprise achievement milestones having the highest predicted likelihood of promoting/triggering future user engagement, types of surprise achievement milestones predicted to “delight” or be welcomed by a particular user, timing of the presentation of surprise achievement milestones during a workout, such that the user has a favorable response (rather than a negative response) to the milestone, a maximum frequency at which milestones may be displayed, such that a predicted likelihood of promoting/triggering future user engagement is highest, etc.

Virtual “Locker Room” Sessions

In some embodiments, a smart mirror app is configured to simulate an interactive “locker room” environment before and/or after a workout. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example locker room implementation, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4 , during a first time interval (Time Interval 1—first virtual locker room), users A, E, and F are active (e.g., they are in front of their respective smart mirrors, optionally with their video cameras on, or have their app open on their mobile compute device(s)). At least a subset of the users A, E, and F may plan to participate in a common scheduled workout (which can be either a “live” workout or an “encore” workout). The first time interval precedes the time at which the workout is scheduled to begin. During the first time interval, the users A, E, and F can see and communicate with each other via voice, video, and/or chat (e.g., including text, image, emojis, GIFs (e.g., virtual towel snap GIF), etc.). Also during the first time interval, one or more user-selected backgrounds (e.g., images uploaded by each user or by a user that organized the workout) and/or images selected by the smart mirror app (e.g., according to one or more predefined rules and/or algorithms) can be displayed within the smart mirror of each of users A, E, and F. Images selected by the smart mirror app can include, for example, images of products for promotion and/or images depicting the rendering of services for promotion. The selection of images of products for promotion and/or images depicting the rendering of services for promotion can be based on one or more rules and/or algorithms based, for example, on user demographics, user preferences, user location data, user purchase history, etc. From the point of view of, for example, user A, other active users E and F can be “seen” via live video stream and/or via other representations, such as avatars, images, text, etc. In some embodiments, the visual/displayed appearance (e.g., including the background) of the first virtual locker room automatically changes as different users talk (e.g., concurrent with the current speaker being featured/enlarged within the viewable area). In some embodiments, an animation is displayed, to participants of the first virtual locker room and during the first time interval, of people getting ready for a workout (e.g., putting on shoes, warming up, etc.).

During a second time interval (Time Interval 2—scheduled workout), an instructor 401 and users A, B, C, and F are active (e.g., they are in front of their respective smart mirrors, optionally with their video cameras on). During a third time interval (Time Interval 3—second virtual locker room), users D, B, and F are active (e.g., they are in front of their respective smart mirrors, optionally with their video cameras on, or have their app open on their mobile compute device(s)). Users B and F participated in the preceding workout (during the second time interval), whereas user D did not. During the third time interval (similar to during the first time interval), the users B, D, and F can see and communicate with each other via voice, video, and/or chat (e.g., including text, image, emojis, GIFs (e.g., virtual towel snap GIF), etc.). Also during the third time interval, a user-selected background (e.g., an image uploaded by each user) can be displayed within the smart mirror of each of users A, E, and F. From the point of view of, for example, user B, other active users D and F can be “seen” via live video stream and/or via other representations, such as avatars, images, text, etc. In some embodiments, the visual/displayed appearance (e.g., including the background) of the first virtual locker room automatically changes as different users talk (e.g., concurrent with the current speaker being featured/enlarged within the viewable area). In some embodiments, an animation is displayed, to participants of the second virtual locker room and during the third time interval, of people doing post-workout activities (e.g., taking off shoes, cooling down, etc.).

In some embodiments, during the first virtual locker room and/or the second virtual locker room, the smart mirror displays of all participants are synchronized such that they display the same events occurring at the same time (e.g., users entering and exiting the virtual locker room), For example, if three users are in the virtual locker room, and a fourth user enters the locker room, the three users can simultaneously view that fourth user entering. As the fourth user enters, he/she sees the three friends already there in the virtual locker room.

Biometric Connector Systems

In some embodiments, a biometric “connector” apparatus is sized and shaped to connect to, attach to, or be embedded within, at least one of exercise equipment, apparel, footwear (e.g., one shoe or both shoes), or the body of a user, and contains a microcontroller communicably coupled to a plurality of sensors (optionally including at least one “onboard” sensor). The plurality of sensors includes sensors for detecting data that directly measures, or is used in the calculation of, one or more of the following non-exhaustive list of biometric data: position (e.g., via a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, altimeter, etc.), orientation or rotation (e.g., via a gyroscope, magnetometer, etc.), acceleration (e.g., via 3-axis accelerometer(s)), speed/velocity (e.g., limb speed, running speed, etc.), cadence, pace, gait, vibration, muscle activation (i.e., which muscle(s) are being activated, and to what degree) (e.g., using a stretch sensor, vibration sensor, etc.), temperature, humidity, oxygen levels (e.g., blood oxygen level, blood oxygen saturation, etc.), salinity, breathing rate, heart rate (e.g. via a bioimpedance sensor, optical sensor, photoplethysmography (PPS) sensor, etc.), muscle twitch response, heart rate recovery, perspiration rate, intensity, linear force, linear movement, rotational force, rotational movement, power (e.g., running power), repetition counts such as steps (e.g., via a pedometer), range of motion, movement patterns/trajectories, gestures, facial features (e.g., via facial recognition sensors), flexibility, endurance, strength, body fat, and hydration level.

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes one or more biometric connector apparatuses, each configured to communicate (e.g., via Bluetooth® or other wireless network communications protocol) with one or more smart mirrors. During use (e.g., during a workout), the biometric connector apparatus(es) detect biometric data for a user performing the workout, optionally store the biometric data locally (within the biometric connector apparatus(es)), and generate and transmit signals representing the biometric data to the smart mirror (and/or to an app running on the smart mirror, and/or to a mobile compute device of the user). Once received, one or more of the following actions can be performed: the biometric data can be stored in memory, a representation of the biometric data (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) can be presented to the user via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device), an alert can be generated based on the biometric data and presented to the user (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device), one or more recommendations (e.g., to correct form, to reduce intensity, to begin cool down, to increase intensity, to hydrate, to change to a different workout, etc.) can be generated based on the biometric data (e.g., according to one or more predetermined rules and/or based on one or more algorithms) and presented to the user (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device), etc.

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes one or more biometric connector apparatuses, each configured to communicate (e.g., via Bluetooth® or other wireless network communications protocol) with one or more smart mirrors (and/or with any other wall-mounted or freestanding appliance (including, but not limited to, other types of exercise equipment) having a display monitor/screen). During use (e.g., during a workout), the biometric connector apparatus(es) detect biometric data for a user performing the workout, optionally store the biometric data locally (within the biometric connector apparatus(es)), transform (e.g., via a microcontroller or processor thereof) the biometric data based on one or more algorithms to produce transformed biometric data (optionally having a non-numeric format, such as a graphical representation(s), sound(s) of varying intensity, color(s) of varying intensity, vibration(s) of varying intensity, or other sensory output(s)), and generate and transmit signals representing the transformed biometric data to the smart mirror (and/or an app running on the smart mirror, and/or a mobile compute device of the user) for presentation. The one or more algorithms can include one or more of: machine learning algorithms, statistical algorithms, unit conversion algorithms, biometric algorithms, encryption algorithms, and data compression algorithms. The transformed biometric data can include one or more of: compressed data, encrypted data, converted data, and modified data. Once received, one or more of the following actions can be performed: the transformed biometric data can be stored in memory, a representation of the transformed biometric data (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) can be presented to the user via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device), an alert can be generated based on the transformed biometric data and presented to the user (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device, one or more recommendations (e.g., to correct form, to reduce intensity, to begin cool down, to increase intensity, to hydrate, to change to a different workout, etc.) can be generated based on the transformed biometric data (e.g., according to one or more predetermined rules and/or based on one or more algorithms) and presented to the user (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device), etc.

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes multiple biometric connector apparatuses, each configured to communicate (e.g., via Bluetooth® or other wireless network communications protocol) with one or more smart mirrors (and/or with any other wall-mounted or freestanding appliance (including, but not limited to, other types of exercise equipment) having a display monitor/screen). At least one biometric connector apparatus from the multiple biometric connector apparatuses is attached to, embedded in, or otherwise associated with another type of exercise equipment, such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary bicycle, stair-stepper, rowing machine, cross-country ski machine, etc. The one or more smart mirrors (and/or an app running on the smart mirror(s), and/or mobile compute device(s) of the user(s)), upon receipt of biometric data from the other exercise equipment, may detect a type of exercise equipment associated with the biometric data, and select an algorithm and/or rule set for interpreting the biometric data based on the detected type of exercise equipment.

In addition to, or alternatively to, the sensors and detection techniques described herein, vibration, muscle activation, and other biometric data can be generated by one or more sensors and/or techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,912,909, issued Dec. 16, 2014 and titled “Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor”; U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2018/0271409, published Sep. 27, 2018 and titled “Body Part Motion Analysis with Wearable Sensors”; and U. S. Patent Application Publication Number 2019/0022388, published Jan. 24, 2019 and titled “Device and System to Measure and Assess Superficial Muscle Contractile Characteristics,” the entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

In some embodiments, biometric data is gathered, over time, from each of a plurality of networked smart mirrors (and/or from any other wall-mounted or freestanding appliance (including, but not limited to, other types of exercise equipment) having a display monitor/screen) and for each of a plurality of smart mirror users, and stored in a centralized repository (e.g., a cloud server). One or more machine learning models can be trained using the stored biometric data, to produce one or more trained machine learning models. The one or more trained machine learning models can detect, optionally adaptively over time (by retraining the one or more trained machine learning models based on additional biometric data gathered since the previous machine learning training), trends among subgroups of smart mirror users, such as: workout popularity, low performance statistics for individual workouts, high performance statistics for individual workouts, high interaction with other users during certain time periods, high interaction with other users during certain workouts, high interaction with other users on certain days, high interaction with other users for certain instructors, etc.

In some embodiments, biometric data is gathered, over time, from each of a plurality of networked smart mirrors (and/or from any other wall-mounted or freestanding appliance (including, but not limited to, other types of exercise equipment) having a display monitor/screen) and for each of a plurality of smart mirror users, and stored in a centralized repository (e.g., a cloud server). One or more machine learning models can be trained using a subset of the stored biometric data, the subset of the stored biometric data being selected based on one or more properties of a given user (e.g., biometric data, age, gender, height, weight, workout preferences, past workout performance, fitness level, etc.) to produce one or more trained machine learning models. The one or more trained machine learning models can then generate, optionally adaptively over time (by retraining the one or more trained machine learning models based on additional biometric data gathered since the previous machine learning training), recommendations for the user, including one or more of (but not limited to): recommended modifications to form (e.g., body positioning), workout recommendations, instructor recommendations, “friend” (i.e., other smart mirror user) recommendations, etc. The recommendations can also be based, in part, on one or more predefined user-customizable goals. For example, the trained machine learning model(s) can generate recommendations that are predicted to result in the user moving closer to his/her goal(s). Examples of user-customizable goals can include metrics such as (but not limited to): fitness level, mastery score (discussed further below), sport-specific fitness level (e.g., specific to yoga, running, calisthenics, cycling, biometric data (e.g., during the performance of one or more specified workouts), sport-specific form, sport-specific performance, workout-specific form, workout-specific performance, exercise-specific form, or exercise-specific performance. In some implementations, a first user can customize his/her goals by inputting (via a GUI of the smart mirror or mobile compute device) a name or identifier of one or more other smart mirror users, along with the metric(s) of that other smart mirror user that the first user would like to attain or progress toward.

Biometric Connector Software

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes a connector software application having instructions to cause a processor to calculate a mastery score (or “fluidity score”) according to an algorithm. In one example, the mastery score is calculated based on a number of repetitions completed, one or more movement patterns, body positioning data (e.g., including coordinates within three-dimensional space and representations of associated body parts), muscle usage/activation data, cadence, and heart rate recovery data for a given user. In some such implementations, the algorithm combines calculated values (e.g., from one or more sensors) with raw sensor data to determine the mastery score. Once calculated, the mastery score can be presented to the user (e.g., in text, graphic, and/or audio form) via the smart mirror and/or via the mobile compute device of the user.

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes a connector software application having instructions to cause a processor to capture video of a user completing exercises, during a first workout period, and stores that video as a first archive video (optionally associated, in memory, with one or more of: a timestamp, date stamp, and biometric data). During a second workout period subsequent to the first workout period, the connector software application can be configured to cause display, via the smart mirror, of an overlay of the first archive video, optionally in combination with the biometric data of the first archive video, such that the user can see his/her reflected image concurrently with the first archive video of himself/herself (e.g., for self-comparison, competition with one's own prior performance, etc.).

In some embodiments, a biometric connector system includes a connector software application having instructions to cause a processor to combine video camera data/imagery captured by a smart mirror of a user with biometric data generated based on one or more wearable electronic accessories of the user (optionally synchronized in time or matched based on time of capture/generation) to define composite data, and make determinations based on the composite data or based on the video camera data/imagery and the biometric data sequentially. For example, a movement (e.g., a vibration, shaking, contraction, etc.) of the user can be detected based on the video camera data/imagery, and biometric data (e.g., generated by a vibration sensor, stretch sensor and/or other sensor) can be used to confirm the movement and/or specify which muscle(s) are most exhibiting the movement, relative to other muscles of the user. Alternatively, the movement of the user can be detected based on the biometric data, and the video camera data/imagery can be used to confirm the movement and/or specify which muscle(s) are most exhibiting the movement, relative to other muscles of the user. In some such embodiments, the video camera data/imagery, the biometric data, and/or the composite data can be compared to one or more expected values associated with a workout being performed by the user, via the smart mirror, concurrently with the capture of the video camera data/imagery and the generation of the biometric data. Based on the comparison, the connector software application may determine whether a given exercise is (or was) being properly performed by the user, and/or to assess a form or other performance of the user. Optionally, the determination as to whether a given exercise is (or was) being properly performed by the user, and/or to assess a form or other performance of the user can be further based on audio data generated by one or more microphones of the smart mirror.

In some embodiments, optionally in combination with any of the preceding embodiments, biometric data can be used by the connector software application to calculate or infer a power (e.g., a running power) of a user during a workout. As used herein, “power” can refer to a user's ability to move weight with speed (also referred to as “explosiveness”). Power can be calculated, for example, using one or more techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,744,371, issued Aug. 18, 2020 and titled “Methods and Apparatus for Power Expenditure and Technique Determination During Bipedal Motion,” and in U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2017/0189752, published Jul. 6, 2017 and titled “Methods and Apparatus for Power Expenditure and Technique Determination During Bipedal Motion,” the entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. The connector software application can compare calculated power for a given time period and for a given user, with at least one other biometric data parameter, to confirm accuracy and/or to generate a more complete statistical profile of the user's performance during a given workout, sport, exercise, etc., which can be tracked over time. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of interrelatedness of certain biometric data parameters (namely, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pace, and power) for a user running uphill, downhill, and on flat terrain. As an example, referring to FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the connector software application can compare calculated power for a first time period, during which a user is running uphill and then transitions to running downhill, with a heart rate, pace, and/or RPE of the user for the same time period, to confirm that the measurements of the associated sensors are accurate. As shown in FIG. 5 , if the sensors are performing correctly, the heart rate and RPE (for the first time period) should increase, plateau, and then decrease; the pace should increase when the user is running downhill, relative to when the user was running uphill; and the power should decrease when the user is running downhill, relative to when the user was running uphill (e.g., at a faster rate than the decrease(s) of RPE and/or heart rate during the downhill segment of the run).

All combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed herewithin (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. The terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

The drawings are primarily for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

The entirety of this application (including the Cover Page, Title, Headings, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Embodiments, Abstract, Figures, Appendices, and otherwise) shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the embodiments may be practiced. The advantages and features of the application are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. Rather, they are presented to assist in understanding and teach the embodiments, and are not representative of all embodiments. As such, certain aspects of the disclosure have not been discussed herein. That alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of the innovations or that further undescribed alternate embodiments may be available for a portion is not to be considered to exclude such alternate embodiments from the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that many of those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of the innovations and others are equivalent. Thus, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and functional, logical, operational, organizational, structural and/or topological modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. As such, all examples and/or embodiments are deemed to be non-limiting throughout this disclosure.

Also, no inference should be drawn regarding those embodiments discussed herein relative to those not discussed herein other than it is as such for purposes of reducing space and repetition. For instance, it is to be understood that the logical and/or topological structure of any combination of any program components (a component collection), other components and/or any present feature sets as described in the figures and/or throughout are not limited to a fixed operating order and/or arrangement, but rather, any disclosed order is exemplary and all equivalents, regardless of order, are contemplated by the disclosure.

Various concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Put differently, it is to be understood that such features may not necessarily be limited to a particular order of execution, but rather, any number of threads, processes, services, servers, and/or the like that may execute serially, asynchronously, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, synchronously, and/or the like in a manner consistent with the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others.

The term “automatically” is used herein to modify actions that occur without direct input or prompting by an external source such as a user. Automatically occurring actions can occur periodically, sporadically, in response to a detected event (e.g., a user logging in), or according to a predetermined schedule.

The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on,” unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

Some embodiments and/or methods described herein can be performed by software (executed on hardware), hardware, or a combination thereof. Hardware modules may include, for example, a processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Software modules (executed on hardware) can include instructions stored in a memory that is operably coupled to a processor, and can be expressed in a variety of software languages (e.g., computer code), including C, C++, Java™, Ruby, Visual Basic™, and/or other object-oriented, procedural, or other programming language and development tools. Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by a compiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containing higher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using imperative programming languages (e.g., C, Fortran, etc.), functional programming languages (Haskell, Erlang, etc.), logical programming languages (e.g., Prolog), object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, etc.) or other suitable programming languages and/or development tools. Additional examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, and compressed code.

The term “processor” should be interpreted broadly to encompass a general purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine and so forth. Under some circumstances, a “processor” may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The term “processor” may refer to a combination of processing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core or any other such configuration.

The term “memory” should be interpreted broadly to encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The term memory may refer to various types of processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with a processor if the processor can read information from and/or write information to the memory. Memory that is integral to a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

The terms “instructions” and “code” should be interpreted broadly to include any type of computer-readable statement(s). For example, the terms “instructions” and “code” may refer to one or more programs, routines, sub-routines, functions, procedures, etc. “Instructions” and “code” may comprise a single computer-readable statement or many computer-readable statements.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a computer storage product with a non-transitory computer-readable medium (also can be referred to as a non-transitory processor-readable medium) having instructions or computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The computer-readable medium (or processor-readable medium) is non-transitory in the sense that it does not include transitory propagating signals per se (e.g., a propagating electromagnetic wave carrying information on a transmission medium such as space or a cable). The media and computer code (also can be referred to as code) may be those designed and constructed for the specific purpose or purposes. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as Compact Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and holographic devices; magneto-optical storage media such as optical disks; carrier wave signal processing modules; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random-Access Memory (RAM) devices. Other embodiments described herein relate to a computer program product, which can include, for example, the instructions and/or computer code discussed herein.

Some embodiments and/or methods described herein can be performed by software (executed on hardware), hardware, or a combination thereof. Hardware modules may include, for example, a general-purpose processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Software modules (executed on hardware) can be expressed in a variety of software languages (e.g., computer code), including C, C++, Java™, Ruby, Visual Basic™, and/or other object-oriented, procedural, or other programming language and development tools. Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions, machine instructions, such as produced by a compiler, code used to produce a web service, and files containing higher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, embodiments may be implemented using imperative programming languages (e.g., C, Fortran, etc.), functional programming languages (Haskell, Erlang, etc.), logical programming languages (e.g., Prolog), object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, etc.) or other suitable programming languages and/or development tools. Additional examples of computer code include, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, and compressed code.

Various concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Put differently, it is to be understood that such features may not necessarily be limited to a particular order of execution, but rather, any number of threads, processes, services, servers, and/or the like that may execute serially, asynchronously, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, synchronously, and/or the like in a manner consistent with the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others.

In addition, the disclosure may include other innovations not presently described. Applicant reserves all rights in such innovations, including the right to embodiment such innovations, file additional applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, and/or the like thereof. As such, it should be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functional, features, logical, operational, organizational, structural, topological, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the embodiments or limitations on equivalents to the embodiments. Depending on the particular desires and/or characteristics of an individual and/or enterprise user, database configuration and/or relational model, data type, data transmission and/or network framework, syntax structure, and/or the like, various embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be implemented in a manner that enables a great deal of flexibility and customization as described herein.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

As used herein, in particular embodiments, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 10%. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosure. That the upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges can independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the embodiments, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the embodiments, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the embodiments, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the embodiments, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: sending to each user from a plurality of users an indication of a ladder schedule for a ladder-based exercise competition, each user from the plurality of users having a smart mirror from a plurality of smart mirrors; automatically selecting a first user and a second user from the plurality of users for a first round of exercise competition based on the ladder schedule; sending a workout selection causing a video of a workout to be displayed at the smart mirror of the first user and the smart mirror of the second user, in response to the selecting of the first user and the second user; automatically updating the ladder schedule based on a performance metric of the first user and a performance metric of the second user determined during the display of the video of the workout, to produce an updated ladder schedule; sending to each user from the plurality of users an indication of the updated ladder schedule for the ladder-based exercise competition; automatically selecting the first user and a third user from the plurality of users for a second round of exercise competition based on the updated ladder schedule; receiving, from the first user and during the first round of exercise competition, a request to stop participating; and in response to receiving the request to stop participating, causing the video of the workout to be displayed at a smart mirror of a fourth user during the first round of exercise competition.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: automatically selecting, before sending the indication of the ladder schedule, the plurality of users for the ladder-based exercise competition based on a compatibility score of each user from the plurality of users, the compatibility score of each user from the plurality of users being based on competitive data of that user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the automatically updating the ladder schedule includes automatically updating the ladder schedule based on the performance metric of the first user being greater than the performance metric of the second user; the automatically selecting the first user and a third user in response to the performance metric of the first user being greater than the performance metric of the second user and a performance metric of the third user being greater than a performance metric of the fourth user during the first round of exercise competition.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically selecting the first user and the second user from the plurality of users is based on a compatibility score of the first user and a compatibility score of the second user, the compatibility score of the first user being based on competitive data of the first user and the compatibility score of the second user being based on competitive data of the second user.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing display of at least one of the ladder schedule or the updated ladder schedule, via at least one smart mirror from the plurality of smart mirrors.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of users is a first plurality of users, the method further comprising sending a signal causing video of the first user and the second user performing the workout during the first round of exercise competition to be displayed at a smart mirror of each user from a second plurality of users, the second plurality of users including at least one spectator user.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the fourth user from the plurality of users for elimination from the ladder-based exercise competition based on a performance metric of the fourth user.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising automatically selecting a first team of users from the plurality of users, the first team of users including the first user, and automatically selecting a second team of users from the plurality of users, the second team of users including the second user, for the first round of exercise competition based on the ladder schedule.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the fourth user and during the first round of exercise competition, a request to replace the first user; and in response to receiving the request to replace the first user, causing the video of the workout to be displayed at a smart mirror of the fourth user during the first round of exercise competition.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; a communication interface operably coupled to the processor; and a memory operably coupled to the processor and storing processor-executable instructions to: send, via the communication interface and to each user that is from a plurality of users and that has a smart mirror from a plurality of smart mirrors, an indication of a ladder schedule for a ladder-based exercise competition; automatically select a first user and a second user from the plurality of users for a first round of exercise competition based on the ladder schedule; send, via the communication interface, a workout selection causing a video of a workout to be displayed at the smart mirror of the first user and the smart mirror of the second user, in response to the selecting of the first user and the second user; automatically update the ladder schedule based on a performance metric of the first user and a performance metric of the second user determined during the display of the video of the workout, to produce an updated ladder schedule; send, via the communication interface and to each user from the plurality of users an indication of the updated ladder schedule for the ladder-based exercise competition; automatically select the first user and a third user from the plurality of users for a second round of exercise competition based on the updated ladder schedule; receive, from the first user and during the first round of exercise competition, a request to stop participating; and in response to receiving the request to stop participating, cause the video of the workout to be displayed at a smart mirror of a fourth user during the first round of exercise competition.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include processor-executable instructions to: automatically select, before sending the indication of the ladder schedule, the plurality of users for the ladder-based exercise competition based on a compatibility score of each user from the plurality of users, the compatibility score of each user from the plurality of users being based on competitive data of that user.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the processor-executable instructions to automatically update the ladder schedule include instructions to automatically update the ladder schedule based on the performance metric of the first user being greater than the performance metric of the second user; and the processor-executable instructions to automatically select the first user and the third user include instructions to automatically select the first user and the third user in response to the performance metric of the first user being greater than the performance metric of the second user and a performance metric of the third user being greater than a performance metric of the fourth user during the first round of exercise competition.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions to automatically select the first user and the second user from the plurality of users include instructions to automatically select the first user and the second user based on a compatibility score of the first user and a compatibility score of the second user, the compatibility score of the first user and the compatibility score of the second user being based on competitive data of that user.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include processor-executable instructions to: cause display of at least one of the ladder schedule or the updated ladder schedule, via at least one smart mirror from the plurality of smart mirrors.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of users is a first plurality of users, the processor-executable instructions further including processor-executable instructions to: send a signal causing video of the first user and the second user performing the workout during the first round of exercise competition to be displayed at a smart mirror of each user from a second plurality of users, the second plurality of users including at least one spectator user.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include processor-executable instructions to: identify a user from the plurality of users for elimination from the ladder-based exercise competition based on a performance metric of that user.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions include processor-executable instructions to: automatically select a first team of users from the plurality of users, the first team of users including the first user, for the first round of exercise competition based on the ladder schedule; and automatically select a second team of users from the plurality of users, the second team of users including the second user, for the first round of exercise competition based on the ladder schedule.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor-executable instructions further include processor-executable instructions to: receive, from the fourth user and during the first round of exercise competition, a request to replace the first user; and in response to receiving the request to replace the first user, cause the video of the workout to be displayed at a smart mirror of the fourth user during the first round of exercise competition. 